🏎️ Lotus Classic Cars

The Lotus Esprit S1 through S3 represents Colin Chapman vision of an affordable mid-engined supercar. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and launched at the 1975 Turin Motor Show, the Esprit caused a sensation. The 907 and later 910 twin-cam engines provided adequate performance in normally aspirated form, while the Turbo Esprit launched in 1980 offered genuine supercar performance. The Esprit achieved international fame through its appearance in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. The glass-fibre body is rust-free but requires attention to the steel backbone chassis underneath. The Lotus Esprit Club and specialist suppliers ensure good parts availability for all variants.

The Lotus Elan is widely regarded as the definitive small sports car of the 1960s. Colin Chapman backbone chassis design, with its independent suspension on all four corners and lightweight fibreglass body, created a car of extraordinary handling precision. The Ford-based twin-cam engine, developed by Cosworth, provides a willing 105bhp in standard form. The Elan is available as an open roadster, the elegant fixed-head coupe and the longer 2+2 coupe. The Sprint variant is the ultimate Elan, with the big-valve engine producing 126bhp. The fibreglass body is rust-free but the steel backbone chassis corrodes and must be inspected carefully. The Lotus Elan Club and specialist suppliers support the global ownership community.

The Lotus Europa was the first mid-engined road car from Lotus, predating the Lamborghini Urraco and Ferrari 308 GT4 by several years. Launched in 1966 with a Renault 16 engine mounted behind the driver, the Europa offered genuine mid-engine handling in an affordable package. The later Twin Cam Europa used the Lotus Ford twin-cam engine for significantly improved performance. The Special and Sprint variants are the most desirable. The fibreglass body is bonded to the steel backbone chassis on early cars, making separation difficult — later Series 2 cars have a bolted body for easier servicing. The extremely low seating position and restricted visibility make the Europa a demanding but rewarding drive.